Ax-wielding US 'hero' hitchhiker becomes online hit

An ax-wielding United States hitchhiker (above), who identified himself as Kai, has become an online hit after recounting how he stopped an allegedly racist motorist, who claimed he was Jesus, from attacking a black man and other passers-by. -- PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM YOUTUBE

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - An ax-wielding United States (US) hitchhiker has become an online hit after recounting how he stopped an allegedly racist motorist, who claimed he was Jesus, from attacking a black man and other passers-by.

Kai, who declined to reveal his full name, gave a colourful interview with a local TV station after the incident in the Californian city of Fresno, in which he used his hatchet to stop the Messianic driver.

The homeless hobo had taken a ride with the motorist when the driver suddenly smashed the car into the back of a power company truck, pinning at least one of its black workers under the vehicle.

The attacker began raving that he was Jesus, and that black people should be got rid off, witnesses said. He then grabbed a nearby woman in a bear-hug, Kai said in a video with over 650,000 views on YouTube by Wednesday.